Village Green Lights Fond Du Lac Avenue Trail Construction

Despite divided support from residents, the village will move forward with its plan to construct an asphalt path along Fond du Lac Avenue in Menomonee Falls. 

Some $900,000 is currently budgeted for the project, which should come in well bellow costs. However, newly elected Village Trustee Jeremy Walz was the only dissenting vote for the path. He said there wasn't enough public support to justify  spending the money on a path. 

The village will utilize roughly $467,000 in funds from a taxing district including Arrandall and Woodman's Grocery store. The village decided to go with a path that would remain in the right-of-way and connect with the Fond du Lac Avenue roadway at certain points. The combination plan was the most cost effective, and addressed some primary concerns from residents. 

Director of Engineering Tom Hoffman took into account feedback from residents that attended an informational meeting about the path in February. During that hearing, residents voiced diverging opinions on the project. However, a prevailing theme was that they wanted the path far from their properties. 

“It will take more trees, but residents comments were to take the trees, but move it as far away from their yards as possible.” Hoffman said. "This option minimizes our tree removal and our utility relocations.” Hoffman said. 

The project is part of the village’s capital improvements budget and should be completed later this year. When finished, trail users will be able to walk, jog, or bike from Rotary Park in Menomonee Falls all the way to Dretzka Park in Milwaukee.